When the news of Tech's Sugar Bowl invite leaked early Sunday evening, national media immediately carped about Tech's credentials. But while Boise State and Kansas State, Nos. 7 and 8 in the BCS standings, finished ahead of the No. 11 Hokies, they could not match Tech's fan base and nearly two decades of national prominence.

During a teleconference, I asked Sugar Bowl executive director Paul Hoolahan how important the Hokies' loyal fans were to the game's decision.

"Extremely important," he said.

Welcome to the twisted world of postseason football at the highest levels.

Also invaluable to Tech: Beamer's iconic status and the Hokies' three previous Sugar Bowl appearances: the Texas victory, a loss to Florida State in the 1999 national title game and a defeat to undefeated Auburn in the 2004 season.

On each occasion, Tech performed, and traveled, well.

"I think Virginia Tech has proven over the years the caliber of football team that they are," Hoolahan said when Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel asked about the Hokies' tame schedule.

Also, Hoolahan described Beamer as "a very good friend throughout the years."

"I think Virginia Tech over the years has built a name for itself," Beamer said. "I think there's a lot of reasons Virginia Tech would be attractive to a BCS bowl."

So rather than play 7-5 Auburn in a Chick-fil-A Bowl that would have offered them little incentive, the Hokies encounter 10-2 Michigan on a far grander stage.

Under first-year coach Brady Hoke, the Wolverines and quarterback Denard Robinson finished second in the Big Ten Legends Division, defeating Nebraska and Notre Dame and stumbling only against Michigan State and Iowa.

In choosing Tech, and providing the ACC $6 million for the conference's first at-large bid, the Sugar Bowl elevated Virginia (8-4) from a Music City Bowl date in Nashville, Tenn., against 6-6 Mississippi State to the Chick-fil-A.

The Cavaliers are 2-1 in the Chick-fil-A and made their bowl debut there, defeating Purdue in 1984.

Like Tech, Virginia hopes to rebound from its nadir, a 38-0 home loss to the Hokies in the regular-season finale.

"It's a great opportunity for a young team," Cavaliers coach Mike London said.

The last 11 months have been difficult for Anthony and Eldrie Scott, with every holiday or milestone bringing another reminder. They had lost their only child, something they pray no other parent has to experience.